I’m the Dying Emperor’s Doctor

Episode 19

The letter was from the Vincent family.

[The Baron wishes to see you.
Come to the castle tomorrow.]

The message was brief. Judging by the handwriting, it seemed to be written by the Baroness herself.

“Do they still think I’m someone who comes and goes at their command?”

Serena let out a dry laugh at the abrupt summons. This was the first contact she had received from them since gaining her independence, making it all the more absurd.

It was clear this life was different from her previous one. The fact that the Vincents were showing interest was proof of that.

After all, she’d been assigned a personal imperial physician, gifted the Violet Isring title, and even partnered with the Emperor.

With so many significant developments, it was inevitable that news of her had reached the Baron’s ears.

‘To think, the Vincents, who never contacted me in my past life, are reaching out now.’

Serena couldn’t help but feel the stark contrast in her position. During her childhood, she had lived in the attic of the Vincent estate, never once sleeping or eating in peace.

A tiny girl barely larger than an acorn was handed rags and made to scrub floors. They even dumped the upkeep of a garden, too vast for one adult to manage, on her.

In short, she was treated worse than a servant. Naturally, the staff ignored or belittled her as though she didn’t exist.

And when she declared her intent to leave?

They cursed and berated her, saying she was biting the hand that fed her, all because she dared to step out on her own.

Thankfully, Serena had saved up money bit by bit while running errands for Eldane’s apothecary. Without that, she’d have been cast out penniless.

And now, a summons?

The fact that the letter had been sent to the palace meant they knew she had become an imperial physician. They must have started to regret their actions and were now trying to seek her out.

‘Leaving that wretched place was the best decision I ever made. There’s no way I’m going back on my own.’

Without another thought, Serena tossed the letter into the trash. Naturally, she had no intention of responding to the Baron’s call.

***

From that day on, letters arrived daily from the Vincent estate. Serena didn’t bother reading them, throwing them into the trash each time.

As far as she was concerned, she had severed ties with the Vincents the moment she left their house. She had never once considered “Vincent” to be her name.

Eventually, even tossing the letters became tiresome, so she instructed Marie to handle them.

It was several days later, as Serena wandered the corridors searching for Ajade, who had disappeared to avoid their daily walk, that she heard someone call her name.

“Rina!”

Startled, Serena turned to see the Vincent Baroness approaching her from the opposite end of the hallway.

“…Madam?”

Serena had never once addressed her as “mother.” In the beginning, she’d tried calling her that, following the Baron’s orders, but was met with physical punishment.

After that, the Baroness had insisted she call her “madam” when the Baron wasn’t around, and it became second nature.

Serena had no memories of the Baroness attending formal events or introducing her as part of the family. Most outsiders were unaware the Vincents even had an illegitimate child.

The Vincent family wasn’t influential enough for such trivial details to spread.

‘To think she’d come in person.’

And to call her nickname with such affection?

Serena felt a chill run down her spine, as if witnessing something unnatural. When she hesitated and merely stared at the Baroness, the woman rushed over, making a fuss.

“My goodness, Rina. You’ve changed so much—I almost didn’t recognize you. I’ve heard you’re doing well.”

“What brings you here?”

Serena’s tone was stiff as she asked, and the Baroness chuckled warmly.

“Do I need a reason to visit? Can’t I come just to see you?”

“I’m not sure what kind of relationship you think we have, but I doubt it’s one that warrants casual visits.”

Serena’s blunt reply caused a crack to form in the Baroness’s smiling facade, though she quickly regained composure and responded.

“I did send you several letters…”

“More importantly, how did you get in here?”

Cutting her off, Serena’s sharp question made the Baroness hesitate before reluctantly answering.

“They let me in when I said I was here to see you.”

Though the Baroness seemed slightly offended, Serena was unfazed.

“They must’ve allowed her entry because she’s a Vincent,” Serena thought.

The auxiliary palace, where Serena resided, was relatively accessible. It wouldn’t have been difficult for the Baroness to use her connection as an excuse to gain entry.

‘If I’d known this would happen, I would’ve instructed them to deny her.’

Passing servants glanced curiously at Serena and the Baroness, their gazes a mixture of interest in the outsider and attention toward Serena. She let out a quiet sigh.

“Let’s find somewhere to talk.”

Serena guided the Baroness to a secluded reception room that was rarely used. She wanted to avoid a situation where voices might rise and draw attention.

The moment they stepped inside, the Baroness began to speak.

“I sent you letters multiple times, but you never replied.”

“I thought I had replied enough,” Serena responded indifferently. To her, not replying after numerous responses was already a clear rejection.

Still, she hadn’t expected the Baroness to visit in person just because there was no reply.

“Yes, it’s only natural for you to resent us,” the Baroness said.

“……”

“But for old times’ sake, couldn’t we at least share a meal? The Baron also wants to see you very much.”

Serena found it absurd that he supposedly wanted to see her.

“Really? That’s unfortunate. I don’t particularly want to see him,” she replied honestly. She had no desire for their approval; she’d resolved that from the moment she first set foot in that house.

The Baroness hesitated, her lips twitching as if at a loss for words. Yet, she didn’t give up and continued to persuade Serena.

“The Baron has been looking for you often. He’s deeply regretful about driving you out so harshly.”

“Well, he should be. He did throw me out with nothing,” Serena quipped with a faint smile. Her words were pointed, and the Baroness lowered her gaze.

“Yes, we were too harsh back then. It was upsetting when you suddenly decided to leave…”

The Baroness trailed off, then quickly corrected herself.

“No, that’s not it. I shouldn’t be saying this. This isn’t why I came. I just wanted to share a meal with you.”

“I’ll decline.”

“But I made the effort to come here personally—”

“Precisely because of that effort, I’ll decline,” Serena reiterated with a calm smile. Her firm refusal caused the Baroness’s expression to shift rapidly. Serena could tell it was only a matter of time before she erupted in anger and hurled insults again.

“I was wrong!” The Baroness suddenly grabbed Serena’s hands and apologized, catching Serena off guard. When Serena looked at her in surprise, she pleaded with tearful eyes.

“I was too harsh to you as a child. At the time, I couldn’t believe my husband had been unfaithful, and I—”

“Are you expecting me to understand that?”

“No, I’m not asking for understanding—”

“I was only seven years old back then,” Serena said in a cold, flat tone. The faint smile that had lingered on her face disappeared entirely. The Baroness blinked, unable to respond.

To the Baroness, Serena had been nothing more than a scapegoat. Unable to direct her anger at her husband, she had vented it on Serena instead.

“Children aren’t at fault,” Serina said, her voice betraying unexpected emotion. She surprised even herself. She’d thought she’d moved on, but seeing the Baroness brought all her anger surging back.

She stood abruptly, no longer wishing to remain in the room.

“Please leave.”

“Just once… Couldn’t you come, just this once? The Baron has changed so much…” The Baroness begged, clinging to Serena pitifully. Serena suspected they’d keep pestering her if she didn’t comply—especially since the Baron had sent the Baroness to her in the first place.

As she glanced out the window in frustration, she noticed a familiar figure through the curtains. It was a large man, crouched low as if trying not to be seen.

“So that’s where you’ve been hiding,” Serena thought, stifling a laugh at the sight of Azaid. Just moments ago, she had been furious, but now, seeing the Emperor hiding like that, she found it amusing.

‘When did he start doing that?’ She thought. The idea of him anxiously worrying about being caught made her find him oddly endearing.

‘I should pretend not to notice, right?’ she mused.

At that moment, the Baroness spoke again. “If you come just this once, I promise I won’t bother you again. Isn’t there any way I can convince you?”

Serena turned her gaze back to the Baroness. She figured that getting rid of her would allow the Emperor to come out of hiding.

‘Fine. It’s not as though they’ll give up just because I say no today,’ she thought.

Deciding to resolve things directly, she asked, “Do you mean it?”

“What?”

“Do you truly promise not to bother me again after this?”

“Of course! Absolutely,” the Baroness answered eagerly, her face lighting up.

“All right. Can I decide the time, then?”

“Sure, that’s fine. I know you’re busy working in the palace, so I wouldn’t expect you to come just anytime.”

Though it was ironic coming from someone who’d already sent letters demanding her presence, Serena didn’t comment on it.

“I happen to have plans to go out this weekend. Let’s meet Saturday evening,” she said, then opened the door for the Baroness to leave.

“All right, see you then,” the Baroness said, departing with satisfaction. Once the door closed and the room fell silent, someone pulled aside the curtains and entered.

Just then—

“So you were here?” Serena said, leaning casually against the door with a playful smile.